Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, for school planning purposes, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.

Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity within that particular area and its ability to meet any increased demand.

Where data indicates that additional provision is required at primary or post primary level, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may be provided through either one, or a combination of, the following:

- Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,

- Extending the capacity of a school or schools,

- Provision of a new school or schools.

My Department's projections of post primary school place requirements in Lucan show an anticipated continued growth in enrolments in the short- to medium-term. The Department is aware of some local pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas across the country, including the Lucan school planning area.

However, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area.

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places in other schools in the town/area.

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school they are not available to all pupils.

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area.

My Department is working to establish the true extent of any capacity issues through ongoing discussions with the relevant school authorities/patrons. In that context, similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, the Department is engaging with school patron bodies/school authorities to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action including, where required, the provision of modular accommodation solutions.

There are 8 post primary schools in the Lucan school planning area and building projects are proposed, in train or have been delivered as outlined :

St Joseph's College RN 60263V - a major building project for an extension/refurbishment, which will provide capacity for 1,000 pupils is currently at Stage 3 (tender stage). In the interim, six prefabs were approved in October 2021 pending the delivery of the major project and are now on site .

Griffeen Community College RN 76454S - a major project is currently at Stage 2b which will ultimately provide capacity for 1,000 pupils in the school. Nine modular classrooms have recently been approved pending the delivery of the major project .

St Kevin's Community College RN 70042L - Four modular classrooms were approved in September 2021 and are now on site.

Lucan Community College RN 70080T - a major project comprising an extension / refurbishment is currently at Stage 2b and when completed, will provide capacity for 1,000 pupils.

Coláiste Cois Life RN76065H - 7 modular classrooms + Specialist rooms were approved in September 2021 and are now on site.

Coláiste Phádraig RN 60264A - my Department has recently approved grant to the school to provide additional specialist accommodation.

Adamstown Community College RN76097U - a new 1,000 pupil post primary school has been constructed for this school.

Kishogue Community College RN 76152C - a new 1,000 pupil post primary school has been constructed for this school.

The annual admissions notice for each of the schools in the Lucan school planning area is available on the individual school website.

I understand that principals of schools in the area have had a number of meetings to establish an overall picture of school place requirements for the next academic year. My Department will continue to have close engagement with the relevant school patrons and authorities in order to monitor the situation and implement any solutions which may be required.

Additionally, my Department will continue to work to advance the planned and current projects in Lucan and to ensure sufficient places for both mainstream provision and for pupils with special education requirements both for the coming academic year and into the future. It is expected that the schools in the school planning area for Lucan can cater for the projected enrolment in the interim period pending the completion of the major projects.